Amphibious transport system

ABSTRACT

An amphibious transport apparatus includes forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apart pontoons including tracks, and a transversely extending structure, which can include a platform, that spans between the pontoons and connects the pontoons together. The amphibious transport apparatus further includes a sled vessel that can be used to transport materials or personnel. The sled can be releasably attached to the amphibious transport apparatus with tow bar and a pivotal connection. Said tow bar can be rotatable between an upper storage position wherein the tow bar engages the vessel away from said pivotal connection and above a terrain surface, and a lower towing position. A towing position of said amphibious craft and sled can be defined by the sled connected to the amphibious craft at the releasable pivotal connection, with the amphibious craft being self propelled with said tracks for engaging the underlying terrain and with the sled in the lower towing position so that the sled bottom drags along on the underlying terrain during movement of the amphibious transport apparatus and sled. A trailer for loading and unloading the sled can also be provided. The amphibious craft can push the sled onto the trailer during loading.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/441,836, filed 3 Jan. 2017, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/441,836,filed 3 Jan. 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference, is herebyclaimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus fortransporting personnel and/or equipment in a marsh or swamp environmentusing an amphibious tow vehicle and a sled of improved configuration. Inone embodiment, the method of the present invention enables loading andunloading of the sled from a trailer, wherein the amphibious trackvehicle can be used as part of the method during loading and/orunloading of the sled to the trailer or transport vehicle. In oneembodiment, the present invention includes an amphibious vehicle, sledand transport trailer.

2. General Background of the Invention

Amphibious marsh craft are commercially available and have been in usefor transporting personnel and equipment to remote aquatic locationssuch as in marshy areas or in swamps, or in areas that are prone toflooding. Examples of such track amphibious vehicles can be seen forexample in patent numbers U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,433,634; 4,961,395; and5,899,164, naming inventor John B. Coast. Each of the above discussedpatents are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

A problem that exists with such amphibious craft is that they have verylittle storage space for the placement of equipment or materialsthereon. These vehicles are limited in square footage that can be usedfor cargo because the pontoons of the vehicles have tracks that movearound the pontoons. The track area is thus not suitable for placementof articles or personnel to be transported. Such amphibious trackvehicles have only limited suitability for operations of tasks such assandblasting, painting, or the like, because the platforms are elevatedabove and located in between the pontoons and tracks. Because theseamphibious craft float on pontoons, they require some elevation for theoperator's platform to be above the water surface. Too much weight couldsubmerge the operator's station or engine or controls or othercomponents.

The amphibious track vehicle is able to tow a sled even when crossing abody of water, such as a lake or river. When crossing a lake or river,if too much weight is loaded onto the amphibious vehicle, the vehiclebecomes inefficient. The amphibious craft has two pontoons and if thecraft is needed to carry too much weight, the craft is inefficient inwater. The amphibious vehicle/craft has a maximum load carrying capacityof about 2,000 pounds.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus and method of the present invention solves the problemsconfronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What isprovided is an amphibious transport apparatus and method that includes atrailer in the form of a sled. In some embodiments an amphibioustransport apparatus includes both a sled and a trailer for the sled. Theamphibious craft preferably has forward and aft ends, a pair of spacedapart pontoons, and a transversely extending structure that spansbetween the pontoons and connects the pontoons together. Thetransversely extending structure can include a platform having a user'scontrol station and a transom in front of the aft end of said amphibiouscraft.

A sled vessel can preferably releasably attach to the amphibioustransport apparatus. The sled vessel preferably has a bottom, side wallsextending up from the bottom, forward and aft rakes, and a tow barpivotally attached to the vessel at one of the rakes, wherein areleasable connection, e.g., a pivotal connection, can enable the towbar to releasably attach to the amphibious craft at said transom. In oneembodiment, a movable ramp can be opened or closed at a rake.

The releasable connection can include a first connecting part on theamphibious craft and a second connecting part on the tow bar. The towbar can be rotatable between an upper storage position wherein the towbar engages the vessel away from the pivotal connection and a lowertowing position.

A towing position of the amphibious craft and sled can be defined by thesled connected to the amphibious craft with first and second connectingparts, the amphibious craft preferably being self propelled with thetracks engaging the underlying terrain and with the sled bottom draggingon the underlying terrain during movement together of the amphibiouscraft and sled.

In one embodiment, in the lower towing position the second connectorportion is preferably above the sled vessel bottom.

In one embodiment, the sled vessel has a length and the rakes have acombined length that is preferably about half the length of the sledvessel.

In one embodiment, the tow bar preferably attaches to the amphibiouscraft at a position in between the pontoons.

In one embodiment, the sled bottom is preferably lined with a polymericlayer of material.

In one embodiment, the sled bottom and part of the rakes are preferablylined with a layer of polymeric material.

In one embodiment, at least a part of the sides of the sled arepreferably lined with a layer of polymeric material.

In one embodiment, at least part of the bottom and at least part of therakes is preferably covered with a layer of polymeric material.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft has a length and the sled has alength that is preferably greater than the length of the amphibiouscraft.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft has a towing capacity and thesled when connected to the amphibious craft with the first and secondconnectors preferably generates a drag on the amphibious craft that isless than half of the towing capacity.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft has a towing capacity and thesled when connected to amphibious craft with said first and secondconnectors preferably generates a drag on the amphibious craft that isless than twenty five percent of said towing capacity.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft has a towing capacity and thesled when connected to the amphibious craft with the first and secondconnectors preferably generates a drag on the amphibious craft that isless than ten percent of said towing capacity.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft has forward and reverse mobilityand wherein the amphibious craft preferably pushes the sled when inreverse, as part of the method.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft and sled are so configured inthe connected position that the amphibious craft is preferably able topush the sled into a body of water wherein the amphibious craft is abovethe sled is in a higher position on land while the sled bottom is in alower position on a water surface of said body of water.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft and sled are so configured inthe connected position that the amphibious craft is preferably able topush the sled upwardly and upon the bed of an inclined trailer whereinthe amphibious craft is below the sled bottom, engaging an underlyingterrain (the earth) while the sled bottom is at a higher positionengaging the bed of the inclined trailer.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft and sled are so configured inthe connected position that the amphibious craft is preferably able topush the sled upwardly and upon the bed of an inclined trailer whereinthe amphibious craft is below the sled on an underlying terrain (earth'ssurface) while the sled is in a higher position resting or sliding onthe bed of the inclined trailer. In an embodiment of the method, amethod of transporting personnel and or equipment to a remote localethat includes marsh, wetland and/or water, comprises the steps of:

a) providing an amphibious craft having a pair of forward and aft ends,spaced apart pontoons, a transverse platform that spaces the pontoonsapart with an operator's control station provided on the platform andthe platform having a transom in front of said aft end, endless tracksaround each pontoon and a drive system that drives the tracks relativeto the pontoon, said drive system enabling the craft to travel inforward or reverse directions;

b) providing a sled having a bottom, side walls, forward and aft rakesand a cargo deck that has an area greater than the area of saidplatform;

c) connecting the sled to the amphibious craft with a tow bar that ispivotally attached to the sled and pivotally attached to the transom ofthe amphibious craft to define a connected position;

d) selectively pulling or pushing the sled with amphibious craft when insaid connected position;

e) wherein the connected position is so configured that the sled can bepushed when the sled bottom is selectively either above the amphibiouscraft or below the amphibious craft; and

f) filling the sled cargo deck with personnel and/or equipment to betransported.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing atrailer having a bed that is preferably movable between an inclinedloading position and a travel position, wherein in step “e” the trailerbed is in the inclined loading position and further comprising the stepof the amphibious craft pushing the sled upon the bed.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises placing a layer ofpolymer on the bottom of the sled.

In one embodiment of the method, in step “c” the tow bar can be pivotedabove the top of the sled.

In one embodiment of the method, in step “c” the tow bar can be pivotedbelow the bottom of the sled.

In one embodiment of the method, in step “c” the tow bar connector ispreferably a universal joint.

In one embodiment, the amphibious craft can have a maximum load carryingcapacity of about 2,000 pounds.

In one embodiment, the sled vessel can have a load carrying capacity ofabout 2,000-5,000 pounds.

In one embodiment, the sled vessel preferably has a load carryingcapacity of about 3,500 pounds.

In one embodiment, the sled vessel can have a greater length than thelength of the amphibious craft.

In one embodiment, a load carrying capacity of the sled vessel ispreferably greater than a load carrying capacity of the amphibiouscraft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention showing the sled or load carryinghull in travel or transport position;

FIGS. 10-17 are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of thepresent invention when loading the sled device on a transport trailer;

FIG. 18 is a partial bottom view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention; and

FIGS. 19-20 are fragmentary views of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention showing tow bar angular position justprior to loading on the transport trailer and after loading is complete.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-20 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention designated generally by the numeral 10. Amphibious transportsystem 10 employs an amphibious vehicle 11 which can be a tow vehicle inone embodiment of a method of the present invention. The amphibiousvehicle (designated generally by the numeral 11 in the drawings) can bea double pontoon tracked vehicle. Such amphibious tow vehicles are knownsuch as can be seen and described in the above listed John B. Coastpatents, each hereby incorporated herein by reference. In general, suchamphibious vehicles 11 have spaced apart pontoons 12, 13. Each pontoon12, 13 typically is fitted with an endless belt or track 14. Atransverse, elevated platform 15 as shown in FIG. 2 connects to thepontoons 12, 13 and spaces them apart. The transverse platform 15 canhave an operators station 16 or cabin, an engine, and hydrauliccomponents (see FIGS. 1-2).

In a preferred embodiment, a connecting part/ball/hitch 17 is providedat the aft or stern end portion of amphibious vehicle 11 (see FIG. 3).As shown in FIGS. 1-13 for example, a sled or load carrying buoyant hull20 of improved configuration is provided. The sled 20 has a bottom 21that can include a central, generally flat section 22. The bottom 21also can include forward rake 23 and aft rake 24. The sled 20 hassidewalls 25, 26, forward edge 55 and an interior 27 that can be used tocontain personnel and/or equipment to be transported. The interior 27preferably has a floor 18 that can be used as a work platform forholding equipment, supplies, or personnel. Sled 20 can be of weldedmetal (e.g., aluminum) construction. Personnel can walk upon floor 18when accessing equipment or performing jobs such as maintenance.Transportable equipment can include, for example: motors, pumps,blasting equipment, tools, pipe, paint, or the like.

Sled 20 preferably has a tow bar 30 connected to forward rake 23 asshown in FIGS. 1-13. Tow bar 30 can have a connecting part or eyelet 31and a universal joint or swivel at 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 11 and 19-20).This arrangement of connecting part/eyelet 31 and universal joint orswivel 32 enable articulation between the amphibious tow vehicle 11 andsled 20.

The tow bar 30 has a first arm or strut 33 and a second arm or strut 34.The arms, struts 33, 34 connect to transverse edge 35 of sled 20 asshown in FIGS. 5, 7, 11 for example. A similar transverse edge 36 isprovided at the aft or stern end of sled 20 and can be fitted withreceiver or hitch 60 as shown in FIG. 12. Hitch 60 can be fitted with acommercially available ball, eyelet or other hitch that enablesconnection to a second sled 20 wherein amphibious craft 11 pulls bothfirst and second sleds 20, one behind the other. Spaced apartgussets/plates/eyelets 37, 38 can be provided on edge 35. A pinned orpivotal connection can be formed between each arm/strut/bar 33, 34 and agusset or plate or eyelet 37, 38 as shown in FIGS. 5, 11. A pinnedconnection or pivot 39, 40 can be formed using a locking pin. Suchlocking pins are commercially available.

Sled 20 bottom 21 can be fitted with a polymer layer/layer of material41 such as plastic or other low friction material. Such a polymer layer41 (see FIG. 18) can extend from side to side between side walls 25, 26and forward to aft, extending to and covering forward rake 23 (at edge35) to and covering and aft rake 24 (at edge 36).

A polymer layer of material, or plastic layer, or layer of low frictionmaterial (e.g., UHMW polyurethane or Teflon®) can be provided on side orside wall 25 as layer 42 (see FIGS. 8, 16-17). Similarly, side or sidewall 26 can provide layer of material at 43 which can be a polymerlayer, plastic layer or layer of low friction material (see FIGS. 4, and6, 10-11). Fasteners such as screws or other threaded fasteners can beused to secure the layers 41, 42, 43 to the sled 20. Sled 20 can thusslide upon layer 41. Each of the sides or side walls 25, 26 can befitted with a longitudinal rib or bumper 44, 45. The side wall 25 haslongitudinal rib or bumper 44. The side wall 26 has longitudinal rib orbumper 45. Layers 41, 42, 43 can be between about ⅛ and ¾ inches thick.

In the figures, e.g., in FIGS. 9-17, there can be seen a trailer 50which can be used to transport sled 20. Trailer 50 preferably has alowered travel position 51 and an inclined position or loading position52. Such a trailer 50 is commercially available, including a trailer bedor platform 53 with an upper surface 54 and wherein bed 53 is preferablymovable. Expandable cylinders 68 (e.g., hydraulic cylinders or pneumaticcylinders or a rack and pinion arrangement) can be used to elevate bed53 between an elevated or inclined position 52 (see FIGS. 14-16) and aflat or travel position 51 (see FIGS. 9, 11, 17).

The tow bar 30 can be stored in an upper, storage or transport position49 using a gusset, plate or padeye 56 and locking pin 57 as shown inFIGS. 5, 11. Another gusset or plate or padeye 58 is spaced from thegusset/plate/padeye 56 and can be used to lock the bar 30 in an upperposition 49 with locking pin 59. Each of the bar arms 33, 34 has agusset/plate/padeye 61, 62 as shown. In order to secure the tow bar 30in an upper, transport position 49, a user can place a locking pin 57 or59 through gusset plate or padeye 56 or 58 and through the gusset orplate or padeye 61 or 62 on the tow bar 30 (see FIGS. 5, 11). Thistransport position 49 of the tow bar 30 can be seen in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20 illustrate a loading of sled 20 upon trailer 50and more particularly upon a trailer 50 bed or platform 53 having uppersurface 54. In FIG. 14, the amphibious vehicle 11 is shown connected tosled 20. Trailer 50 has been placed in the loading or inclined position52. In FIG. 15-17, the amphibious vehicle 11 has pushed sled 20 so thatthe bottom 21 of sled 20 engages upper surface 54 of trailer bed orplatform 53.

Notice in FIG. 19 that the tow bar 30 forms an acute angle 69 with ahorizontal plane 71. In FIG. 19, tow bar 30 is lower at its attachmentsto sled 20 at pivots 39, 40 and higher at its attachment to vehicle 11at hitch 17. In this position, if a horizontal plane is defined as zerodegrees, tow bar 30 forms an angle with horizontal of between about −10and −60 degrees (see FIG. 19). In FIG. 19, the sled 20 and vehicle 11are both resting on the earth's surface 72. In FIGS. 14-17, as theamphibious vehicle 11 moves toward trailer 50, the tow bar 30 forms anincreasingly larger acute angle with horizontal, beginning with aninitial angle 69 of about −10 to −60 degrees to a final angle 70 ofabout 20-60 degrees (see FIG. 20). The sled 20 forms an acute angle ofabout 20-60 degrees with a horizontal plane 71 once the sled ispositioned upon the trailer 50 bed 53 and the trailer 50 moved to thetravel position 51 (FIGS. 17 and 20) and wherein the amphibious vehicle11 remains upon the surface of the earth at 72 or like underlyingsurface (see FIGS. 17 and 20).

The sled 20 is pushed by vehicle 11 onto the trailer 50 bed 53 while bed53 is in inclined position 52. The bed 53 can then be lowered toward thetravel position 51 and preferably when the tow bar 30 is connected tothe sled 20 (see FIGS. 17 and 20), thus preventing the sled 20 fromsliding off of the trailer 50 bed 53. Once the angle of the trailer bed53 with respect to horizontal 71 has been reduced (see travel position51, FIG. 17), the tow bar 30 can be disconnected from the sled 20 usingthe disconnectable pin connection at 39, 40. If sled 20 is mistakenlydisconnected from amphibious vehicle 11 before loading to position 52 iscompleted (e.g. the FIG. 16 position), the sled 20 could possibly shiftpositions or possibly slide relative to the trailer bed 30.

In one embodiment, one of the rakes 23 or 24 includes a ramp 65 that ismovable between elevated and lowered positions. Ramp 65 is hinged tosled 20 at hinge 66. Ramp 65 can be secured in the closed position usingclosure pins 67 or other closure device, latch or lock(s). The followingis a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the presentinvention:

PARTS LIST

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 10 amphibious transport system 11 amphibious towvehicle 12 pontoon 13 pontoon 14 endless belt/track 15 transverseplatform 16 operators station/cabin 17 connecting part/ball/hitch 18floor 20 sled/hull 21 bottom 22 central, generally flat section 23forward rake 24 aft rake 25 side wall/side 26 side wall/side 27 interior30 tow bar 31 connecting part/eyelet 32 universal joint/swivel 33arm/strut/bar 34 arm/strut/bar 35 transverse edge 36 transverse edge 37gusset/plate/eyelet 38 gusset/plate/eyelet 39 pinned connection/pivot 40pinned connection/pivot 41 polymer layer/layer of material 42 polymerlayer/layer of material 43 polymer layer/layer of material 44longitudinal rib/bumper 45 longitudinal rib/bumper 49 upper ortransport/storage position 50 trailer 51 travel position 52 inclinedposition/loading position 53 trailer bed/platform 54 upper surface 55forward edge 56 gusset/plate/padeye 57 locking pin 58gusset/plate/padeye 59 locking pin 60 receiver/hitch/square tubing 61gusset/plate/padeye 62 gusset/plate/padeye 65 ramp 66 ramp hinge 67latch/pin/closure 68 hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders/lift cylinders 69angle 70 angle 71 horizontal line 72 earth's surface

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. Allmaterials used or intended to be used in a human being arebiocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; thescope of the present invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

1-36. (canceled)
 37. An amphibious transport apparatus comprising: a) anamphibious craft having forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apartpontoons, a transversely extending structure that spans between thepontoons and connecting the pontoons together; b) wherein thetransversely extending structure includes a platform having a user'scontrol station and a transom in front of the aft end of said amphibiouscraft; c) a sled vessel that has a length, a generally flat bottom thatextends over a majority of said length, side walls extending up from thebottom; d) a rigid tow bar movably attached to the vessel at aconnection that enables the tow bar to rotate up or down relative to thevessel; e) a releasable connection that enables the tow bar toreleasably attach to the amphibious craft in between the pontoons, thereleasable connection including a first connector on the amphibiouscraft and a second connector on the tow bar; f) wherein said tow bar isrotatable between an upper storage position wherein the tow bar engagesthe vessel away from said releasable connection and a lower towingposition; g) said towing position of said amphibious craft and sledvessel defined by the sled vessel connected to the amphibious craft withsaid first and second connectors, the amphibious craft being selfpropelled with tracks engaging underlying terrain and the sled vesselgenerally flat bottom dragging on the underlying terrain.
 38. Theamphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein in the lower towingposition the second connector portion is above the sled vessel bottom.39. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the sledvessel has a ramp that movably attaches to the sled vessel, the rampbeing movable between an upper storage position and a lower cargounloading position.
 40. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37wherein the tow bar attaches to the amphibious craft at the transom 41.The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the bottom islined with a polymeric layer of material.
 42. The amphibious transportapparatus of claim 37 wherein at least a part of the side walls arelined with a polymeric layer of material.
 43. The amphibious transportapparatus of claim 37 wherein at least part of the bottom is coveredwith a layer of polymeric material.
 44. The amphibious transportapparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious craft has a length and thesled has a length that is greater than the length of the amphibiouscraft.
 45. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein theamphibious craft has a towing capacity and the sled when connected tothe amphibious craft with said first and second connectors generates adrag on said amphibious craft that is less than half of said towingcapacity.
 46. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein theamphibious craft has a towing capacity and the sled when connected tothe amphibious craft with said first and second connectors generates adrag on said amphibious craft that is less than twenty five percent ofsaid towing capacity.
 47. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37wherein the amphibious craft has a towing capacity and the sled whenconnected to the amphibious craft with said first and second connectorsgenerates a drag on said amphibious craft that is less than ten percentof said towing capacity.
 48. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim37 wherein the amphibious craft has forward and reverse mobility andwherein the amphibious craft pushes the sled when in reverse.
 49. Theamphibious transport apparatus of claim 48 wherein the amphibious craftand sled vessel are so configured in the towing position that theamphibious craft is able to push the sled into a body of water whereinthe amphibious craft is above the sled on a higher elevational terrainwhile the sled vessel bottom is in a lower elevational position on awater surface of said body of water.
 50. The amphibious transportapparatus of claim 48 wherein the amphibious craft and sled are soconfigured in the towing position that the amphibious craft is able topush the sled upwardly and upon a bed of an inclined trailer wherein theamphibious craft is below the sled vessel bottom on an underlyingterrain while the sled vessel bottom is at a higher position on the bedof said inclined trailer.
 51. The amphibious transport apparatus ofclaim 48 wherein the amphibious craft and sled are so configured in thetowing position that the amphibious craft is able to push the sledvessel upwardly and upon a bed of an inclined trailer wherein theamphibious craft is below the sled on an underlying terrain while thesled is in a higher position on the bed of said inclined trailer.
 52. Amethod of transporting personnel and or equipment to a remote localethat includes marsh, wetland and/or water, comprising the steps of: a)providing an amphibious craft having forward and aft ends, a pair ofspaced apart pontoons, a transverse platform that spaces the pontoonsapart and includes an operator's control station and a transom in frontof said aft end, endless tracks around each pontoon, and a drive systemthat drives the tracks relative to the pontoon, said drive systemenabling the craft to travel in forward or reverse directions; b)providing a sled having a generally flat bottom, a top, side walls,first and second sled ends and a cargo deck that has an area greaterthan the area of said platform; c) connecting the sled to the amphibiouscraft with a rigid tow bar that enables the amphibious craft toselectively pull or push the sled; d) wherein said rigid tow bar isattached to the amphibious craft at a connector to define a connectedposition; e) selectively pulling or pushing the sled with the amphibiouscraft when in said connected position; f) wherein the connected positionis so configured that the sled can be pushed when the sled bottom isselectively either above all or part of the amphibious craft, below allor part of the amphibious craft, or at the same level as the amphibiouscraft; and g) wherein said sled has a movable ramp and using saidmovable ramp to access the cargo deck for enabling transfer to or fromsaid cargo deck of personnel and/or equipment to be transported.
 53. Themethod of claim 52 further comprising the step of providing a trailerhaving a bed that is movable between an inclined loading position and atravel position, wherein in step “e” the trailer bed is in the inclinedloading position and further comprising the steps of the amphibiouscraft pushing the sled upon the bed and moving the trailer bed to thetravel position.
 54. The method of claim 52 further comprising placing alayer of polymer on the bottom of the sled.
 55. The method of claim 52wherein in step “c” the tow bar can be pivoted above the top of thesled.
 56. The method of claim 52 wherein in step “c” the tow bar can bepivoted below the bottom of the sled.
 57. The method of claim 52 whereinin step “c” the tow bar connector includes a universal joint.
 58. Themethod of claim 52 wherein in step “c” the tow bar connector isconnected to the amphibious craft at a first elevational position and tothe sled at a second elevational position that is lower than said firstelevational position.
 59. The method of claim 53 wherein the tow barconnection to the sled is higher than the tow bar connection to theamphibious craft in the travel position.
 60. The method of claim 53wherein the tow bar is connected to the amphibious craft and to the sledwhen moving from inclined loading position to travel position.
 61. Theamphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious crafthas a maximum load carrying capacity of about 2,000 pounds.
 62. Theamphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the sled vessel has aload carrying capacity of about 2,000-5,000 pounds.
 63. The amphibioustransport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the sled vessel has a loadcarrying capacity of about 3,500 pounds.
 64. The amphibious transportapparatus of claim 37 wherein a load carrying capacity of the sledvessel is greater than a load carrying capacity of the amphibious craft.65. The method of claim 52 wherein the amphibious craft has a maximumload carrying capacity of about 2,000 pounds.
 66. The method of claim 52wherein the sled has a load carrying capacity of about 2,000-5,000pounds.
 67. The method of claim 52 wherein the sled has a load carryingcapacity of about 3,500 pounds.
 68. The method of claim 52 wherein thesled has a greater length than the length of the amphibious craft. 69.The method of claim 52 wherein the load carrying capacity of the sled isgreater than the load carrying capacity of the amphibious craft.
 70. Amethod of transporting personnel and or equipment to a remote localethat includes marsh, wetland and/or water, comprising the steps of: a)providing an amphibious craft having forward and aft ends, a pair ofspaced apart pontoons, a transverse platform that spaces the pontoonsapart and includes an operator's control station and a transom in frontof said aft end, endless tracks around each pontoon, and a drive systemthat drives the tracks relative to the pontoon, said drive systemenabling the craft to travel in forward or reverse directions; b)providing a sled having a generally flat bottom, a top, side walls, anda cargo deck that has an area greater than the area of said platform; c)connecting the sled to the amphibious craft with a rigid tow bar thatenables the amphibious craft to selectively pull or push the sled; d)wherein said rigid tow bar is attached to the amphibious craft at aconnector to define a connected position; e) selectively pulling orpushing the sled with the amphibious craft when in said connectedposition; f) wherein the connected position is so configured that thesled can be pushed when the sled bottom is selectively either above allor part of the amphibious craft, below all or part of the amphibiouscraft, or at the same level as the amphibious craft; and g) loading thecargo deck with personnel and/or equipment to be transported.